Santa Clara — Name and/or Gender Change for Minor Instructions

Source: https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/self-help/name-and-or-gender-change-minor-instructions_rem.pdf

Name and/or Gender Change (Minor)

Step 1 Complete the following forms in blue or black ink: CM-010 Civil Case Cover Sheet NC-500 Petition for Recognition of Minor’s Change of Gender and Sex Identifier and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (and Change of Name) NC-110 Name and Information About the Person Whose Name is to be Changed NC-520 Order to Show Cause – Recognition of Minor’s Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth Certificate (and Change of Name) NC-530 Order Recognizing Minor’s Change of Gender and Sex Identifier and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate and Decree Changing Name □ MC-030 Declaration re: Unable to Serve Other Parent (if parents are not filing jointly) Step 2 Copies: Make 2 copies of the forms, in addition to the original. Step 3 File: File the following at the Probate Clerk’s Office located at: 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113 The Clerk’s Office opens at 8:30am Monday-Friday, closing times are subject to change, visit There is a www.scscourt.org or call 408-882-2100 for current office hours.filing fee, unless the You must bring: fee is Completed forms from Step 1 (originals and all copies) waived. Self-addressed stamped envelope A check for the filing fee and each certified copy of the decree that you want (there is a fee for each certified copy) Note: If you cannot afford the fees, fill out the fee waiver forms FW-001 and FW-003 You will be given a court date about 8 weeks out. □ If you are not asking for a fee waiver, you will pay the filing fee and get copies back with a file-stamp. □ If you are asking for a fee waiver, there is a 24 to 48 hour hold on the papers. During that time, the Judge will determine if the filing fee will be waived. The clerk will tell you when to come back to pick up your forms. Step 4 Service on the Other Parent: If you are filing without the other parent: Skip to □ If they live in California, have an adult, not you, hand-deliver a filed copy of the Petition step 5, if (NC-500) and the Order to Show Cause (NC-520) to the other parent(s) at least 30 days both before your hearing date or 30 days from the date the court issued NC-520, use parents whichever date occurred earlier. are □ If they do not live in California, have an adult, not you, mail a filed copy of the Petition requesting (NC-500) and the Order to Show Cause (NC-520) to the other parent(s) at least 35 days this before your hearing date or 35 days from the date the court issued NC-520, use change. whichever date occurred earlier. □ If you do not know where the other parent(s) lives or how to find them, then you need to fill out and file a Request to Dispense with Notice of the other parent(s). Whoever delivers (“serves”) the forms must complete the Proof of Service form (NC-121). This must be filed with the Clerk’s at least 5 days before the scheduled court date. Step 5 What happens next: No objection is filed: You will not need to attend your hearing date. If any additional steps are required, the Clerk’s Office will contact you. Make sure the court record is updated with your current phone number.

Revised 4/3/2026

Objection is filed: You should attend your Court hearing. At the hearing, the Judge may sign the Order Recognizing Minor’s Change of Gender and Sex Identifier and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate and Decree Changing Name (form NC-530). After the hearing, take your signed Order to the Probate Clerk’s Office (room 107) for filing. You may purchase certified copies of your signed decree for additional cost.

WHAT DO I DO AFTER I GET THE MINOR’S NAME AND GENDER CHANGE DECREE?

You may want to amend their birth record with their new name and gender. If they were born in California, contact the Office of Vital Records. You can get more information at http://www.cdph.ca.gov. If they weren’t born in California, check with the Office of Vital Records in the state where they were born.

HOW CAN I GET HELP?

Here are some ways to get help: • Go to http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public, then click on “Lawyer Referral services” to hire or consult with a private attorney. • For free legal advice and information, see our “Do-It-Yourself Resources” flyer. Go to www.scscourt.org, click on “Self-Help” then “Self-Help Flyers”. • The Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator – See our information flyer: o Contact us: Go to www.scscourt.org then click “Contact the Self-Help Center”. Walk-in assistance is limited to emergencies so contact us remotely first. o Obtain Forms: Go to www.scscourt.org then click “Complete Forms at Home” o Form Review: Email your forms as a PDF file to SHCDocReview@scscourt.org. o Note: We cannot help people who have attorneys.

Superior Court, County of Santa Clara

Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator’s Office 201 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113 408-882-2926

Revised 4/3/2026